Balky shifter?!? What a country!
You might try putting a little grease on the shifter stops- little
ledges in the box that lives under the pivot joint. You can try to hurt
your hand getting to them from above, with the shifter removed, or you
can try to hurt your hand getting to the from underneath, after you
drop your spare.
There's also a support somewhat South of there- it has a bushing that
can wear out. You can replace it, or try to sneak some lube in there
first.

-Simon

On Jul 8, 2004, at 7:11 AM, Jim Felder wrote:

> My shifter (90 vanagon) has lately started to balk going into first. I
> can hear a dry rubbing under the floor where the shift lever pivots
> (front) often when I move it.
>
> From where, top or bottom, should I attack this? what should I expect
> to see when I get in? Anything I should probably consider replacing?
>
> I checked the archives and they were a lot of help for the rear
> ball-and-socket, but didn't directly address what lay under the front
> floor.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jim
>